A momentous Pocono Mountain West prom— for everyone

For most students, prom is a rite of passage, an end to their time in high school.

CHRISTINA TATU

For most students, prom is a rite of passage, an end to their time in high school.

For other students, the dance is even more — a milestone their parents never thought they could attend.

Thanks to Pocono Mountain West High School seniors Emily Rosado and Victoria Costello, both 17, two special-needs students have had a night they'll never forget.

"This experience was the best night of my life so far, taking them to prom and seeing their faces light up, especially when they heard their favorite songs," Rosado said Sunday, a day after the PMWHS prom, which was held at the Hilton in Parsippany, N.J.

"I think it was so great for the boys to go, and I think it's important that all teenagers get to have the prom experience," Costello said.

The two girls have been pursuing an independent study course with PMWHS special education teacher Melissa Owens since February.

Similar to an internship, the class allows Costello and Rosado to work with the special-needs students in Owens' classroom so they can decide if they want to pursue a career in special education one day.

"(Costello and Rosado) were the ones who asked me about prom. To me, I never really considered it, but they wanted to bring two of my students who have autism to the prom," Owens said.

The high school seniors took Marcus Scott, 19, and another boy from the class.

The girls describe Scott as a popular student, known for his exuberant personality and the enthusiastic high-fives he gives to friends in the hallway between classes.

"Marcus knew the words to literally every song, and they had more fun than anyone there," Costello said.

Special-needs students are allowed to attend school dances, but such events can be difficult for kids with autism. Those students are more sensitive to loud music, flashing lights and big crowds, Owens said.

For those students, events like the prom can be too overwhelming. Students with autism also communicate in different ways.

"Students with autism usually require step-by-step instructions and clues on how to do things. They don't have the social skills other people do, and sometimes they can be awkward in social situations," Owens said.

The experience was emotional for the boys' parents, Owens said. They both cried as they saw them off to the prom.

"I was really proud because I never thought he would be able to go to his prom. It was really emotional, just like sending my kids off to school for the first time," said Marcus' mom, Tina Scott.

Owens hopes more students in her special-needs class will have the opportunity to attend prom in the future.

"They have come so far to be included in the school itself. Not just the kids who volunteer, but the school as a whole has been very open to my students," Owens said.

"Autism isn't a disability, it's just the way they live," Rosado said. "They are amazing kids, no matter what."